Africa-Press – Zimbabwe. HWANGE West legislator Vusumuzi Moyo has called upon the Zimbabwean government to take necessary measures to ensure that the country implements the African Union Data Policy Framework as an instrument of growing the digital economy and enhancing cyber security.
Moyo, who is also the chair of the parliamentary portfolio committee on ICTs, made these remarks at the 13th edition of the African School on Internet Governance (Afrisig) that took place in Tanzania from May 23 to 30.
“The African continent has many progressive frameworks that are useful for governments to navigate the complexities of internet governance,” he said.
“The AU data policy framework is one such instrument available for governments to localise, but there’s often a knowledge gap challenge that often hinders the implementation of these regional instruments.”
He said legislators should be equipped to understand data governance as in most instances, laws were passed without adequately considering the implications.
“Data and broadly internet governance is a very technical subject that many people, legislators included cannot comprehend without being equipped,” Moyo said.
“Platforms such as the African School on Internet Governance should be supported to include more stakeholders, in particular parliamentarians who should spearhead the domestication of regional internet governance frameworks.”
The legislator said his major take home from the School on Internet Governance had also been the use of community mobile networks that are being used in other African countries as a means to promote meaningful access to the internet.
“I am going to take up the issue of community mobile networks to the line ministry with a view of tabling a motion in Parliament to give the process a policy impetus. Zimbabwe will possibly have an answer in bridging the digital divide,” he said.
Speaking at the same occasion, Media Alliance of Zimbabwe (MAZ) co-ordinator Nigel Nyamutumbu said the School on Internet Governance served as an opportunity for strengthening regional networking and integration.
“Africa has similar challenges in so far as implementing digital laws that strike a balance between cyber security and advancing the right to freedom of expression,” Nyamutumbu said.
“On that account a regional multi-stakeholder approach should be adopted in strengthening platforms for peer learning, research and thought leadership as well as embracing innovation.”
Afrisig brings together various stakeholders among them from governments, legislators, private sector, media and academia to equip them with an enhanced understanding of digital governance and emerging trends such as generative artificial intelligence.
The school is held annually as a build up to Africa Internet Governance Forum.
In this year’s edition participants developed a data governance position paper for consideration before a United Nations commission on science and technology.
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